AstroCast: February 16 - 24, 2017

Posted on February 15, 2017Posted by Kimberly Maxwell

Mercury’s four aspects this week emphasize communication, and more specifically how we attempt to convey our personal perceptions and experiences to another. This is after all, how we determine our collective reality and reaching agreement is fundamental for sustaining connectedness. Mercury in forward thinking Aquarius alternates with stimulating and flowing alignments to the planets representing self-determination/aggression (Mars), revolution/innovation (Uranus), expansion/exaggeration (Jupiter) and structure/limitation (Saturn), archetypally representing the potential for the contentious and chaotic state of current affairs on the world stage, led by the political upheaval in the U.S. to continue and most likely become even more unstable during this period of dynamic outer planet alignments coinciding with the current inertia-busting eclipse season (from the February 11th Lunar Eclipse discussed in the last AstroCast to the February 26th Solar Eclipse to be discussed in the next).

One way to effectively manage the continual daily breaking news of the unprecedented, the unusual and the disruptive is to align with this active Mercurial vibration to observe our own perceptions, thoughts and spoken words. What impact do they have on our quality of life? How are others responding? In my meditation class with Jim, we’ve been exploring many concepts quite foreign in the mainstream population yet have been around for eons, among them: that we are not our thoughts, that the ego mind creates mental constructs and belief systems which extremely limit how we perceive life, that life itself as we experience it can literally mutate in an instant simply by changing the way we think about it from outside-in to inside-out thinking. Tuning into the esoteric messages of the planets in an open, receptive state would create an opportunity to align with their higher principles of unfettered creative perception (Mercury/Mars), sudden mutation of thought (Mercury/Uranus), philosophical inquiry into higher states of consciousness (Mercury/Jupiter) and disciplined mastery over the ego mind (Mercury/Saturn). If enough of us make an effort to move in this direction we may begin to open to a shift from following others blindly by way of herd mentality, which Jim Sher likens to a form of tyranny of the majority, to experiencing the universal mind of higher consciousness, a state of uniqueness that remains aware we are also part of the larger systems of the world and beyond.

Representing a more free form, adaptable and intuitive approach to being, the Sun moves into Pisces on February 18th. Deeply compassionate and attuned to the state of humanity, the Sun in Pisces symbolizes an all-embracing approach more concerned with cosmic values than material ones. As the last sign of the zodiac, Pisces is the melting pot that contains the seeds of all existence and the Sun here represents a core need to express the experience of life through symbols, metaphor or any artistic means available that conveys in holographic code the transcendent nature of being. Because openly contacting the divine energy of creation can be so overwhelming, a common projection of the Pisces Sun is as ungrounded and simply not able to cope with material reality, or attempting to escape from it entirely. The sensitivity of this signature is profound and efforts must be consciously made to balance real world responsibilities with the need to explore the limitless world of imagination, higher states of being and other dimensions.

The harshness of the “real world” may yank us back down to earth from our Sun in Pisces bliss when Mars in Aries squares Pluto in Capricorn on February 22nd. This potentially combative, power-grabbing signature marks the beginning of a series of aspects Mars will make the last week of February that triggers the Jupiter/Uranus/Pluto T-square in the instigating cardinal signs of Libra, Aries and Capricorn respectively, and also flanks the upcoming Solar Eclipse. The vibration of the Mars/Pluto planetary pair is potentially volcanic, and if not consciously regulated can erupt indiscriminately and ferociously. Whatever may threaten is perceived as black and white life or death. A fundamental power source is available under this signature but it takes a wise and experienced user to understand how best to apply it for the greater good rather than to manipulate or destroy. Esoterically speaking, Pluto’s transformative power is challenged by Mars’ strong drive to act. What needs to break down and regenerate will probably get kicked into gear at some level by this aspect. Tuning into the Pisces Sun at this time may open us to a psychic, nuanced approach that moves with the force rather than resisting it, in the best martial arts way.

A student of the Sher Institute since 2008, Kimberly has been writing AstroCast since 2012. A long-time Los Angeles resident, Kimberly gives astrological consultations, has various artistic pursuits including the development of a burgeoning creative hub in her community, and works in international television distribution at a major studio.

One response to “AstroCast: February 16 – 24, 2017”

Kimberly: Very important message to have us reflect upon our own thoughts wanting to react as usual, mainly counter attacking and aligning with the problems rather than with the solutions!
I am delighted to read the incorporation of the ancient wisdom; it is time to have all of us change our life-style and
follow the ancestral lineages in daily life to balance the material with the spiritual.
Very helpful. Thank you.

Make Payment

Regular Features

Where's that damn Moon? Keep up with this luminary's daily motion right here.
AstroWatch

Jim Schultz guides us through this month's transits step-by-step.

Search

Interview with Ron Archer

In February of 2011, I was requested to be interviewed by Ron Archer in his "Astrologers Across America" series.
I spoke about my vision of astrological counseling and my general views of how astrology is being practiced today.